1990 omc cobra 4.3. Leaking hydraulic trim hose

[Doral90]

Hey everyone. My old boat has a slow leak in one if the hydraulic trim hose going from the transom to the outdrive. I’ve gone through the manual and researched here for advice on fixing the issue. I was hoping that someone could chime in if they have done a repair such as this. Will I be able to find the correct hose. How about would I go about repairing this. I’m not the most mechanical of people so trying to decide whether to try or take to mechanic?

appreciate it!

 

[kpg7121]

Hey everyone. My old boat has a slow leak in one if the hydraulic trim hose going from the transom to the outdrive. I’ve gone through the manual and researched here for advice on fixing the issue. I was hoping that someone could chime in if they have done a repair such as this. Will I be able to find the correct hose. How about would I go about repairing this. I’m not the most mechanical of people so trying to decide whether to try or take to mechanic?

appreciate it!

I believe those lines are NLA. Is it leaking from the ram or the transom side? If it's leaking from the ram it may be just an o-ring on the fitting. There is a cover on those rams that is bolted down on one end, you'll need a 3/8 socket if memory serves me right, then pry the cover off with a flat blade screwdriver. There is a stainless steel line on each end of the ram. Check the fittings for your leak. If the leak is internal then it's time for a rebuild or used from ebay. I don't know if those rams are still available new, but I highly doubt it.

 

[Doral90]

Thanks for all the advice. I pulled off the cover on the ram and everything is dry as can be there, so definitely not leaking from there. I traced the leak back up the outdrive and it appears it is leaking right around one of the metal joints where there is no threads. So looks like the hose has had its day. How urgent of a fix should this be. Believe the boat has had this slow leak since I’ve had it which has been more than two years.

I was was thinking to just top the fluid up tomorrow with atf and fix this in the fall when I winterized the boat

 

[kpg7121]

Thanks for all the advice. I pulled off the cover on the ram and everything is dry as can be there, so definitely not leaking from there. I traced the leak back up the outdrive and it appears it is leaking right around one of the metal joints where there is no threads. So looks like the hose has had its day. How urgent of a fix should this be. Believe the boat has had this slow leak since I’ve had it which has been more than two years.

I was was thinking to just top the fluid up tomorrow with atf and fix this in the fall when I winterized the boat

I had the same issue with mine. I would have to occasionaly top off the pump so I'd store some fluid on the boat along with a squirt can & top it off as needed. I never did find the leak as I parted the boat out. I would top it off & cyle the rams up & down a few times, then check those fittings on the cylinders again. But, I suspect your leak is further up where the lines branch off the manifold.

 

[Doral90]

How did you fill the reservoir? Seems like a pain in the you know what doing it with a small funnel. Also did you find that your fluid plug didn’t thread in completely tight? My hydraulic fluid plug even in as tight as it goes can still twist around.